Food, a word so powerful it stirs any grumbling stomach as well as human emotions every time. To some it simply puts a smile on their face, to the hungry it takes away their pain, to the novice it brings ultimate surprise, to the aficionado it brings delight, to the kitchen masters it allows them to create art as a form of expression but to me food purely brings heavenly bliss. And when I am having my favorite meal on the table, with beautiful music, good company and warmth of family, it puts me in a state of nirvana. And from then food can only taste better.

Just talking about food makes me hungry. It is just the way it has been with me every time food becomes the theme for the day. Who could resist the aroma, the beautiful vibrant colors endlessly alluring as it lies still on the plate staring us in the face. Not to mention its distinct gastronomic flavor we will get out of it once we take that first bite. Surrender could be the next best thing when it comes to discovering our insatiable taste for life’s many different flavors.

It could be that one battle we will always want to acknowledge defeat and would still gain victory. How do we find out that a specific food makes quite the impression to us that we feel the need to surrender to this appetizing scuffle? It’s easy, when we crave for the same food over and over without an ounce of remorse. Treading a guilt-free conquest to satisfying the voracious tummy may just as well be sinful but then again, nothing is what it seems. Beauty will always be synonymous to downfall.

Picture this, long clear strands of starch noodles cooked to a firm laying in harmony with sautéed garlic to its golden brown complexion along with translucent chopped onions in shrimp broth mixed with paprika giving it that stunning dye for the sauce. Topped with crisp pork skin and pan fried pork cutlets, flavorful shredded dried fish, topped with chopped spring onions, whole shrimp and slices of hardboiled egg placed neatly in a fiesta theme presentation.
Photo borrowed from Panlasang Pinoy

With food in vivid color and savory ingredients all put together creating a mouth-watering dish, I may very well be committing a sin should I resist. It is as if I am looking into tantalizing beauty giving out an irresistible smile coupled with a spellbinding aroma. Palabok Fiesta, my favorite dish that is only one of the many native dishes found in the small but culture and flavor rich island of the Philippines. My favorite could be your next best meal. Have a bite, discover its exploding gusto.